Argentina Crustaceans Export Market -- HS Code 0306 Trade Data & Price Trend (Q2 2025)

Argentina Crustaceans Export (HS 0306) Key Takeaways

Argentina's Crustaceans Export under HS Code 0306 in Q2 2025 reveals a market in sharp decline, with export value plummeting to $73.4 million from April’s $119.5 million. The trade is dominated by high-value processed products like frozen crabs (up to $50.25/kg), though China—the top destination—absorbs premium grades while Spain handles bulk shipments. Exporters must prioritize premium segments to offset shrinking margins, as the market shows no signs of near-term recovery. This analysis is based on cleanly processed Customs data from the yTrade database for Q2 2025.

Argentina Crustaceans Export (HS 0306) Background

What is HS Code 0306?

HS Code 0306 covers crustaceans, whether in shell or not, live, fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, salted, or in brine, including those cooked by steaming or boiling. This product is a staple in global seafood markets, driven by demand from food processing, retail, and hospitality industries. Its versatility and long shelf life in processed forms ensure stable international trade.

Current Context and Strategic Position

Recent policy shifts, such as the amendment to Argentina's antidumping agreement on lemon juice [Federal Register], highlight heightened scrutiny of agricultural exports. For Argentina's crustaceans export sector, this underscores the need for compliance with trade regulations to maintain market access. Argentina is a key supplier of HS Code 0306 products, leveraging its extensive coastline and aquaculture capabilities. Monitoring hs code 0306 trade data is critical to navigating competitive pressures and ensuring export resilience. Strategic market vigilance remains essential for sustaining Argentina's position in global seafood trade.

Argentina Crustaceans Export (HS 0306) Price Trend

Key Observations

Argentina's Crustaceans export value for Q2 2025 showed a sharp sequential decline, falling to a combined $73.4 million USD for May and June. This represents a significant drop from the $119.5 million USD recorded in April, continuing a downward trend that began earlier in the year.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The Argentina Crustaceans Export trend, tracked under HS code 0306, has been characterized by declining export values throughout 2025. The market showed consistent contraction from January's $225.14 million USD through April's $119.5 million USD, establishing a clear downward trajectory before Q2's more pronounced slump. This pattern aligns with typical industry cycles where seasonal availability, inventory management, and global demand fluctuations can create substantial quarterly volatility. The hs code 0306 value trend suggests exporters may be facing competitive pressure or shifting market conditions that have impacted shipment volumes and total returns. Without specific policy developments directly affecting crustaceans, the contraction likely reflects broader market adjustments in response to global seafood demand patterns and currency dynamics affecting Argentina's export competitiveness.

Argentina Crustaceans Export (HS 0306) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

Argentina's export of HS Code 0306 in Q2 2025 is heavily concentrated on frozen, cooked shrimps and prawns, specifically under sub-code 03061790219, which accounts for over 35% of the total export value. According to yTrade data, this product commands a unit price of 20.83 USD per kilogram, indicating a focus on higher-value processed items. An extreme price anomaly is present in sub-code 03061710290, with a unit price of only 5.88 USD per kilogram, which is isolated from the main analysis due to its outlier nature.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The non-anomalous exports can be grouped into three categories based on unit price and product form. High-value items like frozen crabs under 03061400929 reach up to 50.25 USD per kilogram, representing premium offerings. Mid-range products, such as various frozen shrimps with prices between 17.23 and 31.39 USD per kilogram, form the bulk of exports and show some differentiation in processing stages. Lower-priced shrimps around 10.24 USD per kilogram indicate basic commodity-like grades. This structure suggests a mix of differentiated goods rather than purely fungible bulk trade, with value tied to processing and species.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

For players in Argentina's HS Code 0306 export market, higher unit price products like crabs and premium shrimps offer stronger pricing power and should be the strategic focus to maximize returns. Analyzing HS Code 0306 trade data reveals opportunities to shift emphasis toward these value-added segments, while lower-grade items may require cost optimization to remain competitive.

Table: Argentina HS Code 0306) Breakdown Details (Source: yTrade)

Check Detailed HS Code 0306 Breakdown

Argentina Crustaceans Export (HS 0306) Destination Countries

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

In Q2 2025, CHINA MAINLAND was the top destination for Argentina Crustaceans Export, holding a 19.99% value share. China's value share exceeds its weight share (17.22%), indicating demand for higher-grade or processed versions of Crustaceans. PERU and SPAIN follow with strong roles, but Spain shows a weight share (20.32%) above its value share (15.31%), suggesting bulk or raw material trade. Frequency shares are highest for Spain (19.55%) and Peru (15.32%), pointing to frequent shipments, likely for fresh or time-sensitive seafood supply chains.

Destination Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The top partners split into two clusters. The High-Yield Cluster includes CHINA MAINLAND and PERU, where value shares outpace weight shares, reflecting premium pricing for quality Crustaceans like frozen or value-added products. The Volume Cluster features SPAIN and RUSSIA, with weight shares dominating value shares, indicating these countries act as hubs for bulk imports, possibly for processing or redistribution. High frequency in Spain and Peru supports just-in-time logistics for perishable goods in the HS Code 0306 trade.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

To boost Argentina Crustaceans Export, focus on capturing higher margins in the High-Yield Cluster markets like China and Peru by emphasizing quality and branding. For Volume Cluster partners like Spain, optimize logistics for cost-effective bulk shipments to maintain competitiveness. Monitoring trade data for HS 0306 can help adapt to shifts in demand, ensuring efficient supply chains for fresh seafood exports.

Table: Argentina Crustaceans (HS 0306) Top Destination Countries (Source: yTrade)

Get Complete Destination Countries Profile

Action Plan for Crustaceans Market Operation and Expansion

• Prioritize exports of high-value processed items like frozen crabs and cooked shrimps to China and Peru, as Argentina's Crustaceans Export data shows these markets pay premium prices, which will maximize profit margins.
• Streamline the Crustaceans supply chain for bulk shipments to volume-driven partners like Spain by optimizing logistics and packaging, as this reduces per-unit costs and maintains competitiveness in high-frequency trade lanes.
• Continuously monitor hs code 0306 trade data for price anomalies and shifting demand in key destinations, enabling rapid reallocation of product grades to the most profitable markets and avoiding revenue loss.
• Use buyer frequency data from hs code 0306 trade data to forecast demand cycles and plan production schedules, ensuring consistent supply for regular partners and preventing inventory shortages or overstock.

Take Action Now —— Explore Argentina Crustaceans Export Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Argentina Crustaceans Export 2025 Q2?

Argentina's Crustaceans export value dropped sharply to $73.4 million USD in Q2 2025, continuing a downward trend from earlier in the year, likely due to seasonal demand shifts and global market adjustments.

Q2. Who are the main destination countries of Argentina Crustaceans (HS Code 0306) 2025 Q2?

China was the top destination with a 19.99% value share, followed by Peru and Spain, which showed contrasting trade patterns in bulk versus value-added products.

Q3. Why does the unit price differ across destination countries of Argentina Crustaceans Export?

Prices vary due to product specialization—high-value frozen crabs (up to 50.25 USD/kg) target premium markets like China, while lower-grade shrimps (~10.24 USD/kg) are shipped in bulk to countries like Spain.

Q4. What should exporters in Argentina focus on in the current Crustaceans export market?

Exporters should prioritize high-margin products (e.g., premium frozen crabs) for China and Peru, while optimizing logistics for bulk shipments to Spain to maintain competitiveness.

Q5. What does this Argentina Crustaceans export pattern mean for buyers in partner countries?

Buyers in China and Peru can expect higher-quality, processed crustaceans, while Spain and Russia serve as hubs for cost-effective bulk imports, likely for redistribution or processing.

Q6. How is Crustaceans typically used in this trade flow?

Argentina’s exports are primarily frozen, cooked shrimps and prawns (35% of value), with premium crabs and mid-range shrimps catering to differentiated global seafood demand.

Detailed Monthly Report

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